What Vehicles Can You Drive With Your Licence?
If you've recently obtained your driving licence, you might be wondering if you're allowed to drive other vehicles beyond the standard car. It’s not as simple as hopping into any vehicle and driving off—some vehicles require additional tests. To find out if you're eligible to drive a specific type of vehicle, you can refer to the categories listed on your driving licence.
In this guide, we’ll explain driving licence categories, show you how to identify the vehicles you can drive, and what you need to do to earn additional categories on your licence.
What are Driving Licence Categories?
Whether you're a new driver or have years of experience, you might wonder which other vehicles you're legally allowed to drive. This depends on whether you have the correct entitlement for a specific vehicle category on your driving licence. You can easily check which vehicles you're allowed to drive by turning your driving licence over.
On the back of your driving licence, you'll find a table with four numbered columns. Column 9 lists the types of vehicles you may be entitled to drive. The next two columns show the validity dates for your entitlements. If these columns don’t contain dates, then you’re not entitled to drive that specific vehicle type.
Column 12 details the rules and conditions that apply to you as a driver. For more information, check out our guide to driving licence codes.
What Can I Drive with a Standard UK Licence?
If you hold a standard UK driving licence, you’re automatically entitled to drive the following vehicle categories (though you may need to take additional tests for some):
Category AM
Minimum age: 16
This category allows you to drive two- or three-wheeled vehicles, such as mopeds and light quad bikes with a maximum speed of 28mph and a weight of no more than 350kg (excluding the battery for electric vehicles). To drive a Category AM vehicle, you’ll need to pass a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) test.
Category B
Minimum age: 17
This is the category for driving cars. Your entitlements will vary depending on when you passed your test:
- Before 1 January 1997: You can drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM, and a minibus with a trailer over 750kg.
- After 1 January 1997: You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg MAM with up to 8 passenger seats, and tow a trailer up to 750kg.
Category F
Minimum age: 17
This category allows you to drive agricultural tractors without any additional tests, provided you hold a valid driving licence.
Category K
Minimum age: 16
This category includes mowing machines or pedestrian-controlled vehicles.
Category Q
Minimum age: 16
With this entitlement, you can drive 2- and 3-wheeled vehicles without pedals, as long as the engine size is no more than 50cc and the top speed does not exceed 15.5mph.
Other Vehicles You Might Be Entitled to Drive
You may also have entitlements to drive other vehicles depending on the type of licence you hold:
Category B1
Minimum age: 17
This category includes light motor vehicles and quad bikes that weigh up to 400kg unladen, or up to 550kg if carrying goods.
Category BE
Minimum age: 17
This allows you to tow a trailer, but the size depends on the date of your driving test.
Category B Auto
Minimum age: 17
This category means you are only allowed to drive automatic vehicles. To drive a manual car, you’ll need to take a manual driving test.
Category P
Minimum age: 16
This allows you to drive 2-wheeled vehicles with a maximum speed of 31mph and an engine size of no more than 50cc.
Vehicles Requiring Additional Tests
To drive certain vehicles, you’ll need to take additional tests:
Motorcycles
- Category A1: Minimum age 17 – Allows you to drive light motorbikes up to 125cc.
- Category A2: Minimum age 19 – For motorbikes with up to 35kW power output.
- Category A: Minimum age 24 – For more powerful motorbikes over 35kW.
Medium-Sized Vehicles
- Category C1: Minimum age 18 – Allows you to drive vehicles weighing between 3,500kg and 7,500kg.
- Category C1E: Minimum age 18 – For driving C1 vehicles with trailers over 750kg.
Large Vehicles
- Category C: Minimum age 21 – For vehicles over 3,500kg.
- Category CE: Minimum age 21 – For driving Category C vehicles with trailers over 750kg.
Minibuses
- Category D1: Minimum age 21 – Allows you to drive minibuses with up to 16 passenger seats.
- Category D1E: Minimum age 21 – For driving a Category D1 vehicle with a trailer over 750kg.
Buses
- Category D: Minimum age 24 – For buses with more than 8 passenger seats.
- Category DE: Minimum age 24 – For driving Category D vehicles with trailers over 750kg.
What Happens If You Drive a Vehicle You're Not Entitled to Drive?
If you’re caught driving a vehicle that you're not legally entitled to drive, you could face severe consequences. Police can easily check your driving licence, and if they find you're in violation, you could face a fine of up to £1,000, six penalty points, and even a driving disqualification.
To avoid this, always check your driving licence categories to ensure you’re entitled to drive the vehicle you intend to use. If you need to take additional tests to gain entitlements for specific vehicles, Leo Driving School can help you prepare for and pass those tests.